Portland Thorns to play preseason friendly against Portland Pilots

The Portland Thorns will play the University of Portland women's soccer team in a preseason friendly at 7 p.m. March 30 at UP's Merlo Field.

The match will be a free, ticketless event sponsored by UP, with a suggested donation at the door to benefit the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute's Play Smart young heart screening program. The program offers free heart screenings for youth ages 12-18 along with informational resources about sudden cardiac arrest and heart disease prevention.

Coach Garrett Smith's Pilots have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. Dating back to 2000, Portland has reached at least the second round 13 consecutive times, winning NCAA championships in 2002 and 2005. Current Thorns FC players Christine Sinclair (2001-02, 2004-05), Danielle Foxhoven (2008-11) and NWSL supplemental draft pick Angie (Woznuk) Kerr (2003, 2005-07) starred at UP.

The Thorns are preparing for the start of the inaugural NWSL season on April 13 against FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium in Overland Park, Kan. The Thorns face rival Seattle Reign FC on April 21 at Jeld-Wen Field in the club's home opener.